But as a solo experience, Resogun stands out as one of the must-own games for the PS4. Its frenetic action provides constant entertainment, and Sony's new console allows that action to be viewed with incredible fidelity and smoothness. It may be a bit light on content, but the craftsmanship on Housemarque's part can't be denied.
The only meaningful thing separating the two versions is the inclusion of new characters and quests, and those additions aren't quite strong enough to make Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition an easy recommendation.
Those willing to fight and endure will be rewarded a satisfying experience though, one in which the numerous deaths and crashes only add to the momentous victory as the player crosses the finish line.
As it stands now, A Realm Reborn vastly improves on its predecessor and delivers a wonderful fantasy world to spend countless hours in. It has its fair share of flaws, especially in regard to the quest structure, but I imagine fans of the genre will enjoy their time with the game regardless.
The days of Twisted Metal are long gone (even with the reboot), but vehicular combat still holds a special place in my heart. Even though Cel Damage HD doesn't excel in any particular area, it has its fair share of fun moments. The lack of content and limited attempts at personality hinder those moments, but at the end of the day Cel Damage HD is a solid update of a mostly forgotten 13-year-old game.
Fans of old-school PC RPGs that don't hold the player's hand and focus on depth and freedom will adore this game. Audiences without that experience will also find something to love in Divinity: Original Sin, because depth and player freedom never become dated.
No matter the platform, The Swapper is a game that people should play. It may be a year later, but the game still stands out as one of the most creative and forward-thinking indie releases in recent memory.
Anomaly 2 largely overcomes its few missteps though. 11 Bit Studios laid the foundation with the first game in the series and Anomaly 2 continues to reinforce the novelty of that foundation.
NBA 2K15 retains the title of best basketball video game, but it's a far less impressive title this year.
Normally, this is the part where I say fans of the series will enjoy Samurai Warriors 4, but I feel it does enough to create a broader appeal than some other Warriors titles. Nothing about the game stands out as particularly amazing, but it partially masks its issues with a content-heavy package and the noteworthy Chronicle mode.
Tiny Trooper's few problems fail to completely derail the experience and it still works as a solid mobile port. I doubt it will make any real lasting impression with most players, but I had fun with some of the missions and grew attached to a few of my squad members as they leveled up over the course of the game (and then promptly died, because war is hell). Tiny Troopers may be a middle-of-the-road experience, but sometimes that's just fine.
The lack of meaningful obstacles lessens the overall experience a bit, but Shantae and the Pirate's Curse still stands as an excellent addition to a series with a devoted fan base. The Pirate's Curse adheres to the Metroidvania formula from previous games, but everything here feels bigger and better. I imagine the devoted fan base will only grow after more people play it.
The return of super powers and introduction of flight makes it a mostly enjoyable three hours, but as a standalone experience it falls just short of typical Saints Row success.
Killing a bunch of zombies still has its charms in this day and age and I'll likely have nightmares about the dying light of Dying Light, but Techland's latest proves to be an uneven experience. Ultimately it's a game I appreciate for its ideas more so than its execution.
Fortunately, the hunts in Evolve stand out as the game's greatest strength. There's no denying that some players will find the formula repetitive after a short while, and the lack of other great game modes contributes to that repetition.
Although Hardline probably won't result in any Battlefield converts, it will provide fans with plenty of entertainment.
The level of execution and polish in Axiom Verge makes it seem as though it came from a well-established studio, let alone a single person. There's a confidence in the design that channels the best parts of successful Metroidvania games.
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin targets two audiences: newcomers and veterans. In both cases it succeeds.
Combat is only a small portion of the overall experience, but the other aspects of the game don't particularly shine. It's as if StarDrive 2 is content in its adequacy.
I still love the idea of a game with only bosses and a single weapon, and the contrast between the small protagonist and the towering bosses emphasizes the thrill of victory. It's a shame the game ends when it does, because there's potential here for an even greater product. But even with its short length, Titan Souls is a fresh and inventive indie release.